Those
people who have accepted Jesus as Savior are children of God. All children have
equal opportunities and access to their heavenly Father. In order to advance in
His kingdom, a person must press into the relevant position (Luke 16:16). The word of God indicates
that spiritually strong and forceful people are pressing into position in the
kingdom.
Matthew 11:12
(Amplified Bible)
And from the days of John the Baptist until the
present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent
men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is
sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
It
is apparent that not all of God’s children press into the kingdom of God,
because many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). Those children who are led by the Holy
Spirit are being prepared for advancement to a position of ruling in the
kingdom.
In
the natural realm people are born into royalty, and their positions are set by
their birth. Those who rule the nations through natural means hold them in
subjection, and their great men exercise authority and dominion over them (Mark
10:42). However, positions
of authority in the kingdom
of God are different.
Many have sought positions in the kingdom
of God without
understanding the differences between the natural and supernatural realms. The
mother of James and John asked Jesus to let her two sons sit on His right hand
and on His left in His kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21).
Jesus’ response indicated that they did not understand positioning in His
kingdom (Matthew 20:22-23).
This study explains selected positions in the kingdom of God
and what is needed to advance to these positions.
The
Father prepares positions for those who will press into the kingdom. God is the
one who chooses. Those whom God chooses for advancement have faith, knowledge
and walk in love.
(1). Love
Love is the vehicle which carries a person from
one position in the kingdom to another. Love elevates a person to his position
in the kingdom of
God. Your love walk
determines your position in the kingdom.
(2). Faith
Faith influences a person’s position in the
kingdom. A greater amount of faith is needed to stay in each higher position.
Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6).
(3). Knowledge
Knowledge of the kingdom influences a person’s
position in it. The greater the revelation knowledge of the kingdom, the
greater is the faith and the greater is the authority. As the Holy Spirit shows
you more revelation knowledge, you have more authority. As the Holy Spirit
reveals who Christ is in you and who you are in Him you receive authority.
Responsibility
goes along with positions of authority in the kingdom. When you have greater
authority you also have greater responsibility. Where much is given, much is
required (Luke 12:48).
The
word of God identifies individual positions in the kingdom of God
and corporate positions of ministry in the body of Christ. For example, deacons
and elders are considered corporate positions in the body. The corporate
positions of ministry are well known, but individual positions in the kingdom
are not as well known. The individual positions in the kingdom relate to who a
person is and not what he does. These individual positions do not include the
5-fold ministry gifts given to the body of Christ. The ministry gifts are for
the building up of the body. The kingdom
of God is bigger than the
body of Christ. Seven kingdom positions identified in the book of Revelation
are addressed in this study.
Position
#1: Eat of the tree of life in the heavenly city (Revelation 2:1-7).
The
church of Ephesus was known for its hard work and
perseverance (verse 3). However, there was a serious problem that had to be
overcome. They had forsaken their first love, Christ (verse 4). To overcome the
problem, they were instructed to remember where they had been, repent and
rekindle their love for Christ (verse 5). The benefit of overcoming the problem
is the right to eat of the tree of life.
Revelation 2:7b (New American Standard Bible)
To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree
of life which is in the Paradise of God.
The
first position in the kingdom
of God is at the tree of
life. By accepting Jesus as savior, you get everything He has for you at the
tree of life. You get the kingdom, which is righteousness, peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit, at the tree of life (Romans 14:17).
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit come to dwell in you at the tree of
life. The tree also represents the cross of Jesus Christ. Remember the cross
and what Jesus accomplished for you at the cross. As you remember what was done
on the cross, you can move forward to maturity. The tree of life represents
being rooted and grounded in the Lord. God’s people are called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord (Isaiah 61:3).
Everything
at the tree of life has to be activated. Otherwise, these things will remain
dormant in your life. It is the plan of God for you to receive and activate
everything at the tree of life and then to move forward from the tree to
maturity.
Position
#2: Receive crown of life and protection (Revelation 2:8-11).
The
church of Smyrna was known for afflictions and
poverty (verse 9). Fear associated with suffering persecution was a problem
which had to be overcome (verse 10). Faithfulness is the way to overcome fear
(verse 10). The benefits of overcoming the problem would be to receive a crown
of life and not be hurt by the second death.
Revelation 2:10b (New American Standard Bible)
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown
of life.
Revelation 2:11b (New American Standard Bible)
He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
A
person who refuses to go back to the old way of life after eating of the tree
of life is not subject to the second death, which is being cast into the lake
of fire (Revelation 21:8). At this second position you have forsaken the old
and embraced the new. You have made a decision to go forward with the Lord and
not to go back to the old way of life. At the second position, you are given
the crown of life which distinguishes you from others. Your appearance is
different.
Position
#3: Develop more of God’s character and receive revelation knowledge
(Revelation 2:12-17).
The
church of Pergamos was known for remaining true to
Jesus even during persecutions (verse 13). However, problems of false teaching,
immorality and idolatry had to be overcome (verse 14). Repentance was needed to
overcome the problem (verse 15). The benefit of overcoming the problem is to
receive hidden manna (revelation knowledge) and a white stone with a new name
(the nature of Jesus who is the cornerstone).
Revelation 2:17b (New American Standard Bible)
To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the
hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the
stone which no one knows but he who receives it.
Manna
represents food from heaven, so hidden manna represents revelation knowledge
which is made known by the Holy Spirit. A person stands on foundation, but it
takes revelation knowledge to move forward in the kingdom.
Jesus
is the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11).
When He gives you a stone, it indicates your nature and character are becoming
like His nature and character.
Giving
a person a new name in the scriptures represents the releasing of a new nature
and character. For example, Jacob which means deceiver was changed to Israel for as a
prince he had power with God and men (Genesis 32:28). Israel means
God prevails. The new name in verse 17 indicates development of character.
However, the change in character was not fully evident to men, because it was
only known by those who overcome.
Position
#4: Develop more of God’s character and receive authority to rule (Revelation 2:18-29).
The
church of Thyatira was known for their deeds,
love, faith, service and perseverance (verse 19). Problems to be overcome
included false teaching, immorality and idolatry (verse 20) and false teaching
of so-called secrets of Satan (verse 24). The benefits of overcoming these
problems and doing the Lord’s will included authority over nations (verse 26)
and the morning star (verse 28).
Revelation 2:26-28 (New American Standard Bible)
26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until
the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE
VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority
from My Father;
28 and I will give him the morning star.
Ruling
in the kingdom of
God does not mean
controlling people or keeping them in subjection. Instead, ruling in the
kingdom involves influencing the course of cities, territories and nations.
Jesus
holds the position of morning star (2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16).
When He gives you the morning star, it indicates you are being changed to
radiate His glory. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and as you radiate His glory you become
the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
Position
#5: Serve as a righteous priest (Revelation 3:1-6).
The
church of Sardis was known for its deeds and for
having a reputation of being alive spiritually (verse 1). However, their deeds
were empty and they were hypocrites because they were spiritually dead (verse
1-2). Some of their spiritual garments were soiled (verse 4). To overcome these
problems they were to remember what they had received, obey it and repent
(verses 2-3). They also had to walk worthy with Jesus (verse 4). The benefit of
overcoming these problems would allow them to be dressed in white garments and
their names would not be blotted out of the book of life (verse 5).
Revelation 3:5 (New American Standard Bible)
5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white
garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will
confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
The
saints wear white garments to appear before the throne of God (Revelation 3:18; 4:4; 7:14). The garments become white when they are
washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). White linen is the righteousness of God (Revelation
19:8). Priests dressed in linen garments minister to the Lord (Leviticus 16:32). Jesus has made believers to
be priests unto their God (Revelation 1:6). The fifth position is a position of
priesthood. As priest, you can enter into the temple, minister to the Lord and
come back out of the temple to serve people.
Position
#6: Develop more of God’s character and stay continually in the presence of God
(Revelation 3:7-13).
The
church of Philadelphia was known for their deeds,
power, and faithfulness to Jesus’ word and His name (verse 8). However, they
had to overcome trials (verse 10). The benefits of overcoming include being
made a pillar in the temple
of God and given new
names (verse 12).
Revelation 3:12
(New American Standard Bible)
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the
temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on
him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem,
which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
The
pillar stands for steadfastness and being immovable in your belief. As a
pillar, you will no longer go in and out, nor will you be up one day and down
the next. You will stay continually in the presence of God.
In
this sixth position, your new names reflect the full character of God and His
people, the new Jerusalem. In the earlier position (#3), only you knew how your
character had changed. In this sixth position, your new godly character is
evident to all others.
Position
#7: Stay seated as a mature son with Jesus on His throne (Revelation 3:14-22).
The
church of Laodicea was known for their deeds and
lukewarm temperature (verses 15-16). They had many spiritual problems, being
wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (verse 17). To overcome these
problems, they were to buy gold refined in the fire, white garments to cover
their nakedness, and eye salve to see (verse 18). The gold represents faith
tried in the fire of life’s experiences (1 Peter 1:7). The white garments
represent the righteousness of God ascribed to His children (Revelation 19:8).
The eye salve represents the Holy Spirit who shows the things of God to His
children (John 16:13-15).
They were also instructed to receive discipline for maturity, be earnest and
repent (verse 19). God uses discipline to train and mature sons and bring forth
the fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
The benefit of overcoming would be to receive the right to sit with Jesus on
His throne (verse 21).
Revelation 3:21
(New American Standard Bible)
21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down
with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His
throne.
When
you reach the throne as a mature son, you reach a place of rest where you have
humbled yourself before the Lord (Hebrews 4:1-3). Now there is a rest for the
people of God. At the throne, you receive mercy and grace to help you in time
of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Those on the right hand of King Jesus’ throne inherit His kingdom (Matthew
25:34).
Concluding
Comments
In
general, people overcome by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their
testimony and by not loving their lives (Revelation 12:11). The blood of the Lamb relates to
repentance. To overcome people must repent and change the way they think to
coincide with the way the Lord thinks. Then the refreshing will come. The word
of their testimony focuses on the word of God and not on a typical testimony of
how bad people have been. Speaking the word of God gives a person great faith
and authority. Loving their lives relates to being self-centered and selfish.
It takes the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person for him to lay
down self interests in order to take up and fulfill God’s will.
Moving
to a higher position in the kingdom
of God requires earnest
prayer. The earnest prayer of a righteous person is effective (James 5:16). Trying to do anything in the kingdom of God without prayer is illegal. You pray
yourself into position in the kingdom.
Fred C. White
Fountain of Life Ministries
International
Email: fred@HisFountain.net
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